Addiction Medicine

One of the hardest things for opiate addicts, or any addict for that matter, is feeling like you are absolutely alone. You feel scared that you are the only one experiencing what you are feeling and have no one to turn to. It's not easy to talk to friends or family about your addiction. Since they may have never been there it seems hard for them to even remotely relate. So are you expected to just go through this alone?

Not at all! Know your options, do your research. If you know you want to get clean but don't have the will power to do it, find someone that has experience with addiction and get the help you deserve. Having someone to help or talk to that knows what you are going through will make the world of a difference. Just knowing you are not alone, you are not crazy, and in fact addiction is a medical condition. These things will help you to seek the help you need and actually get success from it.

I know what your thinking, "Easier said than done", right? A lot of times yes. But take one step at a time. Here are just a few things to start thinking about:

Group Therapy Sessions- not only is talking about your addiction extremely important in your road to recovery but talking about your addiction with ones who are right there with you will make you feel safe and not alone. You build a bond with these people, gain insight, are more accountable for your sobriety and break down those walls of isolation. Check out Narcotics Anonymous, where you can find list of groups meeting in your area.

Individual Therapy Sessions- Research has shown that talking about past experiences allows the patient relief in processing the past. The therapist offers an empathetic and nonjudgmental environment where the client can feel safe in revealing feelings or actions that have led to stress or tension in his or her life.

Find an Addiction Specialist- When physicians are Addiction Specialists it is usually to treat ones that have a Drug or Alcohol Addiction. They are specially qualified to prescribe medications that help with opiate and alcohol addiction such as, Vivitrol or Suboxone. Having a relationship with a Doctor like this makes sure you are getting the care you need. Addiction specialists have experience and knowledge of the both the emotional and medical side of the addiction. They view addiction as a medical disease.

Look into a Twelve Step-Program-A twelve-step program instills guidelines and a course of action to reach your goal of sobriety. Being in this program gives you a feeling of accomplishment as you complete each goal. You also feel a sense of unity among the others you are also going through the program. With a worldwide membership of millions it truly feels like a fellowship. Sponsors are largely utilized in these programs. According to Narcotics Anonymous " sponsors share their experience, strength, and hope with their sponsees... A sponsor's role is not that of a legal adviser, a banker, a parent, a marriage counselor, or a social worker. Nor is a sponsor a therapist offering some sort of professional advice. A sponsor is simply another addict in recovery who is willing to share his or her journey through the Twelve Steps."

Now you have a few options and are figuring out what you think will work for you.

What Next? Pick up the phone! Just make that one phone call. Get your foot in the door to the Life of Recovery, you won't regret it.